1
general::
Phrase(s): tear someone or something down
to criticize or degrade someone or something. • Tom is always tearing Jane down. I guess he doesn’t like her. • It’s not nice to tear down the people who work in your office. • Why are you always tearing my projects down?, Phrase(s): tear down something
to race down something very fast. (See also tear something down.) • The girls tore down the hallway as fast as they could run. • They tore down the stairs and ran out the door., Phrase(s): tear something down
to dismantle or destroy something. • They plan to tear the old building down and build a new one there. • They’ll tear down the building in about two weeks.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Demolish, take apart, as in They tore down the old tenements, or He loved to tear down old engines. [Early 1600s] 2. Vilify or discredit, as in He's always tearing down someone or other. [First half of 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms